Preview Roundups
December 21, 2015
Charleston Southern at Florida St. 2:00 PM ET
Florida State almost got caught looking ahead Saturday against Florida Atlantic. With a showdown looming with in-state rival Florida on tap next week before the start of ACC play, the Seminoles will try to remain focused on Charleston Southern when it visits Monday.
Eastern Kentucky at West Virginia 7:00 PM ET
No. 16 West Virginia looks to win its ninth consecutive home game when it hosts Eastern Kentucky on Monday. The Mountaineers have used their suffocating full-court press to devastating effect, forcing an NCAA-best 22.3 turnovers per game, including a season-high 31 in the 87-54 win over Kennesaw State on Dec. 5.
Sacred Heart at Northwestern 7:00 PM ET
While everything seems to be going right for Northwestern during its seven-game winning streak, it hosts a Sacred Heart team Monday that has lost its last eight. The Wildcats used a late-game rally to post a 78-70 overtime victory over DePaul on Saturday, while the Pioneers have had a week to recover from an 80-71 loss to Hartford.
Southeastern Louisiana at Georgia Tech 7:00 PM ET
Georgia Tech’s early-season performance has been impressive for the most part, but the Yellow Jackets find themselves in a position in which they need to bounce back starting with Monday’s homestand-opening contest against Southeastern Louisiana. Georgia Tech plays three games in a row at home before opening ACC play Jan. 2 at No. 11 North Carolina and, while there are plenty of positives so far this season, Saturday’s disappointing 75-61 loss at Georgia was not one of them.
Appalachian St. at North Carolina 7:00 PM ET
North Carolina bounced back nicely from its second loss with two convincing wins and will try to make it three in a row when it hosts Appalachian State on Monday. The 11th-ranked Tar Heels are down to two games left before beginning ACC play against Clemson on Dec. 30.
Providence at Massachusetts 7:00 PM ET
Before a long layoff and the rigors of the Big East schedule begin, No. 14 Providence ends its non-conference slate Monday at Massachusetts. The Friars have won five in a row since a loss to top-ranked Michigan State, although the last two have proven to be a bit difficult with star guard Kris Dunn still sidelined with an illness.
Youngstown St. at Notre Dame 7:00 PM ET
Notre Dame is looking to put a bitter defeat in its rear-view mirror Monday when it hosts non-conference foe Youngstown State. The Irish had a 16-point lead in the second half against Indiana on Saturday before falling to the Hoosiers at the Crossroads Classic.
Chicago St. at Marquette 7:00 PM ET
Fresh off a win in its first road game and an eight-day break, Marquette will go for its longest winning streak in four years Monday against visiting Chicago State. With a big win at in-state rival Wisconsin, the Golden Eagles matched the seven-game win streak of the 2011-12 squad, which also won its first 10 games to start the season.
Grand Canyon at Houston 8:00 PM ET
Houston, which has won eight of its first nine games, looks to extend a three-game winning streak when it meets upstart Grand Canyon in the third round of the Global Sports Classic at Las Vegas on Monday. The Cougars are off to their best start since the 2007-08 team began 10-1.
Oregon at Alabama 9:00 PM ET
Tyler Dorsey and Justin Coleman weren't necessarily being counted upon to carry significant roles this season at Oregon and Alabama, respectively, but each underclassmen has proven to be up to the task as their programs have gotten off to impressive starts. The two young guards look to continue their strong recent play on Monday when the Ducks travel to Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. to meet the Crimson Tide in the Vulcan Classic.
North Texas at Creighton 9:00 PM ET
Creighton trailed by
only three with five minutes left and gave No. 3 Oklahoma all it could handle
before suffering an 87-74 loss on Saturday. The Bluejays have a good chance
to get back on the winning track on Monday when they host North Texas.
Pepperdine at Gonzaga 9:00 PM ET
No. 21 Gonzaga attempts to defeat Pepperdine for the 30th consecutive
time when the Bulldogs open West Coast Conference play against the Waves
on Monday. Gonzaga won all three meetings last season - the contest at
Pepperdine was decided by just two points - and last lost to the Waves
on Jan. 18, 2002.
Quinnipiac at Oregon St. 9:00 PM ET
Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle pointed to a lack of cohesion and energy as the main reasons why his team saw an 8-2 start ruined by Quinnipiac last year. One year to the day later, the Beavers look to avenge that loss Monday when they host the Bobcats in their final non-conference contest.
Sacramento State at Stanford 11:00 PM ET
Dorian Pickens’ emergence is coming at just the right time for Stanford, which will be without leading rebounder Reid Travis for at least the next few games. The Cardinal continue their seven-game homestand Monday against a Sacramento State team that has lost three of its last five games after opening with a 4-0 mark.
SIU - Edwardsville at Southern California 11:00 PM ET
USC will try to start a season 10-2 for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign when the Trojans host Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Monday night. The Trojans are 7-0 at the Galen Center this season and - boosted by the return of junior point guard Julian Jacobs from left Achilles tendinitis - are starting to resemble the high-scoring and entertaining teams that third-year head coach Andy Enfield produced while taking Florida Gulf Coast's 'Dunk City' squad on an improbable Sweet 16 run in 2